- chapter 5: The Villanovan culture –
burials. In general accessory vessels are rare, and weapons are exceptional. The typical
urn is represented by a biconical impasto vessel (Fig. 5.4) of elongated shape compared
to its Protovillanovan predecessor, with one or two horizontal handles set at the point of
maximum diameter. In the case of two-handled urns, however, one of the two handles
is found deliberately broken. The rich incised decoration, obtained with a comb-like,
multi-pointed instrument, occurs on the body and neck of the vessel, divided into more
or less separate groups; more rare is ornamentation with applied metal inlays. The
decorative technique, common in Italy, seems also to be common in the region of the
French and Swiss platform-villages (palafi tte) from the Late Bronze Age; because of this it
was deduced that it had been disseminated from this region. The lid of the vase-ossuary
Figure 5.4 Finds from tombs at Veii, Quattro Fontanili (after Annali dell’Istituto Orientale di Napoli.
Archeologia e Storia Antica VIII, 1986).Figure 5.5 Hut urn from Veii, Quattro Fontanili (after Dalla Capanna alla casa.
I primi abitanti di Veio, Formello 2003).